LOS ANGELESJuly 9, 2013 – The American Heart Association invites families to pack a picnic basket and join the Third Annual Powerful Black Family Celebration on August 3, 2013, 12-3 p.m., at Darby Park in Inglewood (3400 Arbor Vitae St., Inglewood, CA 90305). The free event, supported by the City of Inglewood, The Social Justice Learning Institute, Union Bank and the Los Angeles Sparks, aims to empower African Americans to live longer, healthier lives.

The family celebration will offer a full day of fun and educational activities for the entire family. A Farmers Market will allow participants to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables and learn the value of healthy eating habits. A chef will lead an interactive healthy cooking demonstration. There will be free health screenings for cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure. Opportunities to learn about heart disease and stroke prevention will also be available.

Participants will get their heart pumping with exciting sports activities, including basketball drills and scrimmages led by the Los Angeles Sparks, a boot camp workout led by fitness guru CJ, yoga and more. The playground will be set up with lots of fun activities for the children.

Doctors and other health experts will be available to answer health questions from participants.
Makeover sessions will be available at the Ladies Lounge where the My Heart, My Hair workshop will be held. My Heart, My Hair will explore many solutions to hairstyle maintenance issues which, according to a study, prevent many African American women from being physically active on a regular basis.
Many exciting giveaways will be in store attendees.

Radio host Tammi Mac of KJLH will join the event as the program emcee. Guest speakers include heart health expert Alice Benjamin, RN, Clinical Nurse Specialist and American Heart Association spokesperson.

“Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for everyone, but African Americans are especially at high risk,” said Benjamin. “The American Heart Association believes that race or ethnicity should not put anyone at higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The Powerful Black Family Celebration aims to empower the black community in Los Angeles to take charge of their health and live longer, stronger, healthier lives.”

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in Los Angeles County and it claims the lives of more African Americans than all cancers combined. Stroke is the No. 4 killer and it affects African Americans twice more than any other race and at younger ages.

The mission of the American Heart Association and its division, American Stroke Association, is building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Its 2020 goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular stroke by 20 percent.

For more information about the Third Annual Powerful Black Family Celebration, visit www.heart.org/PBFC, email alma.lerma@heart.org or call (213) 291-7033.
###About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

Author: Nurse Alice

Nurse Alice is America’s favorite nurse on television. She is a nationally board certified cardiac clinical nurse specialist in Los Angeles, CA and a reoccurring television & radio health expert and contributor. She hosts The Check Up with Nurse Alice, and has appeared on several national shows including The Dr Oz Show, Dr Drew, The Doctors, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, FOX News and CNN.

1 Comment

Following the American Heart Association your information became available; even more, the wonderful work you and Kristine Kelly with AHA related to heart disease is very commendable.

As a survivor, it is important that people of color stay informed about the impact of heart disease.
God continue to bless you in the work that you do, it takes special people as yourself to reach the community.